Uber is getting serious
about building real, honest-to-god flying taxis
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When Uber first announced its crazy-sounding plan to explore “on-demand urban aviation” — essentially a network of flying taxis that could be hailed via a smartphone app and flown from rooftop to rooftop — the company made it clear that it never intended to go it alone.
Today, as it kicked off its three-day Elevate conference in Dallas, Texas, the ride-hail company announced a slew of partnerships with cities, aviation manufacturers, real estate, and electric charging companies, in its effort to bring its dream of flying cars a little closer to reality.
TEAMING UP WITH DALLAS-FORTH WORTH AND DUBAI
Uber said it will be teaming up with the governments of Dallas-Fort Worth and Dubai to bring its flying taxis to those cities first. It is also joining forces with real estate firm Hilwood Properties in Dallas-Fort Worth to identify sites where it will build takeoff and landing pads, which Uber calls “vertiports.” It has signed contracts (or is in the midst of contract negotiations) with five aircraft manufacturers to work on the design and production of lightweight, electrically powered vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. And it launched a partnership with an electric charging company called ChargePoint, to develop charging stations for Uber’s flying taxis.
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My Opinion
It's about TIME..but it's too little too late. The time frame for it's adoption and use is more narrow than they think.
To explain. Do you remember BlockBuster Video'?. How'd that work out? It worked out FINE..for a short time. Then advancing technology, the internet with video streaming, NetFlix and HULU...wiped them OUT.
The same thing with flying cars. We've been promised them since FOREVER. The problem is that when they arrive, if they get here SOON, they will not be need for very long. Virtual Reality, Teleprescense and TeleOperations will eliminate the need for flying taxis...for the most part.
Uhhhh I don't want cars flying over my head. Civilians should stay at or below my own vertical location.
Most airplanes 'flying over your head' are piloted by civilians. Except for the military and unless you live near a military base you won't see them very often.
Not to worry. The Uber Air Taxis will be automated. No human pilots, civilian or otherwise. Many planes are already piloted by robots. Airliners for example. Ever hear of 'autopilot'?
Awesome post. Because of where I live out in the desert on dirt roads for twenty miles It sure would be great to have something to commute to town to avoid all the dust, snow, mud, and road hazrds. Great job my friend @everittdmickey
you're welcome
Flying cars are scary.
stay home. Never leave your basement.
I do not even have a basement)))